MAPLEWOOD — The construction worker killed in a collapse inside a downtown restaurant last week had no insurance, and his family had no way to pay for his burial.

However, Maplewood businesses and residents have seized the opportunity to help out the family of a man they didn’t even know. A downtown group has set up a fund to pay for the funeral of Guo Tai Chen, 51, killed last week in the accident inside the Coda restaurant.

An anonymous benefactor has pledged $5,000 to ensure the funeral happens as scheduled on the morning of June 12, said Julie Doran, the manager of the Maplewood Village Alliance.

“That’s going to allow them to proceed with the funeral,” said Doran.

“Mr. Chen had no insurance, and there’s no way to pay for the funeral,” said Mayor Vic DeLuca, who said the total cost for the ceremony and cremation is $7,500.

Chen, of Flushing, N.Y., was killed last Friday morning when a support structure inside the Coda restaurant on Maplewood Avenue gave way and dropped rubble from the first floor to the basement where two workers were standing. Chen was declared dead upon arrival, firefighters said at the time, and the second worker was hospitalized.

Plans for supporting the second worker have not yet been announced, said officials. However, the out-of-work staff of the Coda restaurant is also going to be supported, said Doran. Beginning at tonight’s downtown “Girls Night Out” event, “tips jars” will begin appearing in the downtown to raise money for the staff of the popular restaurant, which has not yet announced a timeline for reopening after the tragic accident last week.

“We are devastated by the injuries and the loss of life and our hearts go out to the affected families,” said Coda co-owners Bradley Takahashi and Luke Finn, in a statement Wednesday. “We also appreciate the outpouring of love and support from the community during this trying time and we look forward to serving you again as soon as possible.”

Maplewood is rising to the occasion by helping out someone who may have been a stranger – but whose death affected an entire community, DeLuca added.

“It’s terrific testament to the town that they want to help out someone they don’t even know,” said the mayor. “The family is very appreciative.”

Vanessa Pollock, a Realtor at the Keller-Williams agency two doors down from Coda, said there is a long list of people who are eager to help out in any way they can, considering how the accident stunned the quaint downtown.

“It really hits close to home,” Pollock said.

Those interested in helping to pay for Chen's funeral can send checks, made out to the Maplewood Village Alliance - Chen Family Fund, to P.O. Box 1360, Maplewood, NJ 07040, Doran said.